We are back for one last episode, and it’s an awesome one! Today we are going to talk about hiking the Kalalau Trail, with Amanda of the “Living the Aloha Life” podcast. The Kalalau Trail is often on Top 10 lists of both most beautiful hikes in the world, and most dangerous hikes in the world. It truly is an amazing, once in a lifetime, magical adventure.

Today we are going to give a quick update on what’s been going on in my life since the last episode and talk about why this is very likely going to be the last episode of Kauai Podcast.  Then we are going to bring on Wayde Fishman to talk about his “Living the Aloha Life” podcast, the current state of Hawaii, many other things regarding the islands, and setting up an “off grid” community on Big Island. 

As discussed in the show:
Wayde’s “Living the Aloha Life” podcast
My “Exploring Tampa Florida and Beyond” podcast

Island Update with J.R.

In April of 2018, Kauai was battered with torrential rains that caused a ton of damage and closed the road to the north shore past Hanalei. Last month that road was re-opened to the general public for the first time, but with that re-opening came some access limits to Ke’e Beach and the Kalalau Trail, for visitors. I felt it was important to update this shows listeners with this new information, as well as discuss other changes on Kauai, and J.R is the perfect guest to bring on the show to do so.

J.R. just returned from a recent vacation to Kauai with his family, and in this episode we discuss his vacation, his love for the island, and the many changes on Kauai over the past couple years.

My Ten Day Escape to Hawaii Island

It’s been a while, and I should start by saying that the show is still on a hiatus.  However, I just came back from an incredible ten day escape to Hawaii’s Big Island and felt there was a ton of information as well as cool experiences to share.  In this “special episode”, I will take you on a journey all around the Big Island, discuss where to stay, give you my honest thoughts as a first time visitor about Hawaii Island as a vacation destination, share some exciting stories, and compare Hawaii Island with both Kauai and Maui.

As discussed in the show, this link will take you to the VRBO page for the home we stayed at while on the Hilo side of Hawaii Island.

The Show is Back on Hiatus

After last months show, I have had many people ask me if I was still planning on moving to Kauai and still planning on doing the podcast.  The answer to whether or not I still plan on moving to Kauai is a resounding “YES!”.  As for the show, it will be put on hold for a while due to issues completely unrelated to anything covered in last months show.  It this episode today, we talk about my reasons for putting the show on hiatus.

The Battle With GMO Companies on Kauai

This episode is a deviation from the fun, vacation style of show I normally like to bring you, because we need to tackle a very serious subject.  This month we tackle the problem of GMO companies, which are using Kauai as a testing ground for new products and spraying tons of very dangerous chemicals on the island.  I always preach the importance of respecting Hawaii, yet these companies are disrespecting both the people of Kauai and the land of Kauai on a massive scale.  They poison them both without concern, all the while hiding smugly behind data which they control and laws which they help mold.  Today we will swan dive into this issue with no holding back!

In this episode we are are going to discuss:
The problem and legal battle between the GMO companies and the people of Kauai.

The corruption of GMO company money in politics, and our university system.

The attempts of GMO companies to block information regarding the harmful effects of their chemicals.

My investigation into the companies, which makes a solid case that one of them may very well own a major portion of the  responsibility for the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The following links either relate to the podcast, or are great resources for more information:
Joint Fact Finding Study Group, Final Report
US Right to Know
Gary Hooser’s Facebook Page
Report:  Public Research, Private Gain

Kauai With Kids

I’ve had a lot of people ask me to do a show about visiting Kauai with children, but frankly didn’t know the best way to put a good show together that would be informative for parents while being entertaining for everyone… until now.  This month we talk with Alex, a listener of the show who just returned from his first ever trip to Kauai, about Kauai as a vacation destination with children.  We talk about many kid friendly activities, as well things to be cautious of, and things to outright avoid while vacationing on Kauai.  In addition to that we discuss accommodations on both the north and south shores, and the virtues of spending a few days camping while on your trip.

Loving Kauai’s North Shore

The North Shore of Kauai could easily be labeled the most beautiful spot on Earth. Today we are going to travel there, and I will spend the entire show taking you on a personal tour through this slice of Heaven on Earth, starting at Princeville, going through Hanalei, and ending at Ke’e Beach.  We are going to discuss the pros and cons of staying there on vacation, places to stay and places to eat, as well as visit many key beaches and points of interest.  I’m sure you will love it… so just hit play and let’s Escape to Kauai.

Christmas in Hawaii

After finding out my friends Connie and Gerson Rosenbloom were planning on spending their vacation in Hawaii over the Christmas and New Years holidays, I asked them if they were up for another podcast.  (You may remember them from Podcast #10, “The Journey to Secret Falls”.)  They agreed, and come to us live from Kauai today.  Their passion and enthusiam for the island of Kauai is apparent as they take us right there with them and discuss what it’s like to be on Kauai during Christmas, from a vacationers point of view.  Among that and other things, we also talk about a few places to eat:  Gaylords, Hukilau Lanai, and Kailua Bakery.

Finding the Best Deals on Airfare, and the South Shore Gets Some Love

I received an email a few weeks back from Seth Ettwein, a listener of the show who thinks I’ve been a little hard on the South Shore and wanted to sell me on it’s virtues.  I agreed that I have been a little unfair, so I asked him if he would like to come on the show to share his opinions with everyone.  For those who think I’ve been a little rough, the South Shore finally gets some well deserved love.

Seth also spent about 15 years working in the marketing department for Alaskan Airlines, and has a ton of great tips to pass along for finding the best deals on airfare which we discuss in the first half of our conversation.

David Penhallow on Pearl Harbor, the Tidal Wave of 1946, and Hurricane Iniki

This month I am really excited to bring David Penhallow back to the show.   David is a fifth generation Hawaiian who was born on Oahu, spent most of his life on Kauai, and has recently moved to the Big Island.  His life is full of experiences and his ways of sharing them are second to no one.  He has worked as an actor, an author, a teacher, and a historian.   He has worked as a waiter, bartender, and manager in training at Coco Palms.  He has acted in New York City, served as director of the Kauai Museum, director of economic development for the County of Kauai, and assistant to the Mayor of the County of Kauai.

He has taught drama on Kauai and the mainland, and written many successful plays and books which integrate Hawaiian history with incredible writing and story telling.   Today I am really happy to have him back to talk about his first hand experiences with several huge, historical moments in Hawaiian history…. Pearl Harbor and WWII, the Tidal Wave of 1946, and Hurricane Iniki.